Bareskrim Extends Panji Gumilang Detention Period Until September 30

Karo Penmas, Police Public Relations Division, Brigadier General Ahmad Ramadhan (right). (Rizky A-VOI)

The Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police has extended the detention period of Panji Gumilang for 40 days in the alleged blasphemy and blasphemy case. Thus, the head of the Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School will remain at the Bareskrim Detention Center until September 30.

"There has been an extension of detention for the next 40 days from 22 August to 30 September," said Karo Penmas, Police Public Relations Division, Brigadier General Ahmad Ramadhan, to reporters, Thursday, August 24.

Starting from the determination of the suspect, investigators decided to detain Panji Gumilang for 20 days. This means that the leadership of the Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School began to languish behind bars from August 2 to August 21, 2023.

Director of General Crimes at Bareskrim Polri Brigadier General Djuhandani Rahardjo Puro said the detention of Panji Gumilang was because he was not cooperative in the examination process.

Panji's uncooperative attitude in the examination process was when he did not attend the invitation to the examination on July 27.

At that time, Panji Gumilang reasoned that he had a fever. A day later, his legal team showed a doctor's certificate regarding the health condition of the head of the Al Zaytun Islamic Boarding School.

However, investigators doubted his validity. In fact, the Panji Gumilang camp refused to submit the doctor's letter.

"Not present stated the reason for getting sick with fever, but the fact that our doctor's letter doubted its validity, only sent via WhatsApp was originally asked not to be given," he said.

"Alasan sakit (but) muncul diri di publik dan keterangan pengihat hukum sampai tangan rencah," sambung Djuhandani.

As a reminder, Panji Gumilang has been named a suspect in the alleged blasphemy case. One form of blasphemy by calling the Qur'an an essay by the Prophet Muhammad.

In this case, Panji Gumilang is suspected of having multiple articles. First, Article 14 Paragraph 1 of Law Number 1 of 1946 concerning Criminal Law Regulations which carries a penalty of 10 years in prison.

Then, Article 45A paragraph 2 in conjunction with Article 28 paragraph 2 of Law Number 19 of 2016 concerning ITE with a threat of 6 years in prison.

Finally, Panji Gumilang was also charged with Article 156 A of the Criminal Code. In this article, the penalty is 5 years in prison.